The Most Lifelike Bottles for Breastfed Babies

Even if you're exclusively breastfeeding your baby, there will always be reasons to give them a bottle. Social obligations, your job, and everyday errands can prevent you from nursing on schedule and sometimes, let's face it, your boobs need a break. Plus, who doesn't sometimes want a caregiver or partner to feed their baby? All of this, of course, requires you to get a few baby bottles.

It's important to introduce bottles to breastfeeding infants at the right time; otherwise, you risk nipple confusion or your baby becoming too attached to the bottle. Keep reading to learn when to give bottles to a breastfed baby, and check out our round-up of the best options on the market today.

When to Introduce the Bottle

It's usually a good idea to let the baby get the hang of breastfeeding before you offer them a bottle Infants who are given bottles too early sometimes develop a preference for them since bottle-feeding requires less effort than nursing. Once a baby learns the proper nursing technique, they're less apt to favor the bottle.

Most breastfed babies are ready for bottles around 4 to 6 weeks, says Gina Ciagne, a certified lactation counselor and senior director for professional relations at Lansinoh Laboratories. If your baby is nursing like a champ at 2 or 3 weeks, it's fine to offer a bottle at that time, says Jennifer Shu, M.D., a pediatrician in Atlanta and co-author of Heading Home With Your Newborn. But proceed cautiously: If they prefer the bottle, offer it less often for a week or two.

You don't want to wait too long to introduce bottles either. "If you go too much past 6 weeks, your infant may refuse the bottle," Dr. Shu says. "If you leave Baby with Grandma for an hour, she'll scream and hold out for milk until Mom comes home." That's no fun for anyone!

Important Bottle Features for Breastfeeding Babies

When buying a bottle for breastfeeding babies, look out for these key features.

Slow-flow nipples. NewYork-based lactation consultant Leigh Anne O'Connor recommends slow-flow nipples, usually advertised as "level one." These encourage your baby to use similar muscles to breastfeeding—unlike nipples with a faster flow, which might make it too easy for your baby to get milk. (Why would they want to drink from the breast if the bottle gets them more milk with less effort?) You might need to change nipple levels as your baby grows, but O'Connor recommends staying with the slowest nipple for as long as possible.

Wide and soft nipples. It might also help to have a wide, soft nipple. These require a sucking motion that closely resembles breastfeeding, which helps ease the transition from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding (and back again).

Whatever your baby prefers. Some babies simply take to certain bottles over others. Feel free to test a few different brands to discover what they prefer—it will make the introduction to bottle-feeding easier for everyone involved!

Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies

If you're looking to introduce a bottle to a breastfeeding baby, consider these five options, which get top reviews from experts and real moms.